Senate Climate Bill Introduction to be Delayed Until End of September

Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) announced Aug. 31 that they will delay introducing a Senate climate change bill until the end of September, citing the recent focus on health care reform and the need for extra time to further educate colleagues and other important stakeholders. Boxer, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and is drafting the bulk of the climate legislation, had originally planned to introduce the bill the second week of September. Introduction of the bill in late September now means Senate committees with jurisdiction will not take up the bill until October. Six committees have jurisdiction over Senate climate legislation -- Finance; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; and Foreign Relations. The Senate hopes to complete hearings and a mark-up of the bill in October.